The Metro needs a hard reboot

The Pittsburgh Penguins just ended a 7 game losing streak. Yes, those Penguins. Yes, 7 games. Of course, they broke the streak against the Capitals, so maybe things aren't as bad as it seems and no, wait, the Caps are only two points ahead of the Penguins, despite having two more games in hand. Those two teams aren't in last, though. That spot belongs to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who aren't any better than they have always been, despite making the most notable free agent acquisition of the offseason. The only thing that could make the first month of the season stranger in the Metro is if the Devils were in first place, or something. 

Hey, don't do that!

 

Kirill Kaprizov earned the first ejection for the Wild in half a decade by finally losing his cool with the Kings and Drew Doughty in particular, punctuating it with a cross check to the face. The Wild have stated that Kaprizov hit Doughty with his glove, and he hit him in the shoulder, which demonstrates a particularly innovative strategy. They weren't lying, the Wild, but also, as we can clearly see, Kaprizov cleaned Doughty's face shield with his stick blade. Of course, Kaprizov DID also graze Doughty's shoulder, and also hit him in the arm with his glove on follow through. So the Wild weren't lying, but were definitely omitting some important facts. 

Kaprizov was responding to some goading from Doughty, and I believe he was trying to swat the bigger player's arms away after some pushing away from the play. Still, sometimes the result is more important than the intent, and Kaprizov was shown the door, adding another element to a rudderless 1-0 game. Sometimes, intent is more important than the result, which is why Kaprizov will not be suspended, and is fined only a few thousand dollars for his hit. We can all still role our eyes at the Wild for insisting this was a punch on the shoulder.